Xia Chuan let out an awkward laugh and explained:
"Back then, some people were treating me like an all-purpose AI... I got tired of the excessive traffic, so I packaged myself as an incarnation of the Machine Spirit. I told them to build their own statues and pray, claiming the Machine Spirit would answer their pleas."
"Although they were skeptical at first, perhaps due to the placebo effect, some actually solved previously unsolvable problems after praying. More and more people started imitating them... and it ended up like this."
Xia Chuan felt somewhat helpless. He had only intended to divert traffic to reduce his and Lu Tianming's workload... Who would have thought it would turn out like this?
Lu Tianming shrugged helplessly but didn't comment further.
Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly received a communication from Cagalli on the Freedom. After scanning it, his pupils constricted sharply.
—It appeared that an assassin attempting to kill Lu Tianming had been captured.
————————————————-
ORB Presidential Residence
"What's the situation with that guy who tried to assassinate me?"
Pushing open the presidential residence's main door, Lu Tianming entered the familiar conference room and asked the Athha father-daughter pair who were already waiting there with curiosity.
Normally, anyone with malicious intent approaching him would be detected through his senses.
If they went undetected, it either meant their ability to conceal killing intent was exceptionally strong, or... they were subdued before even entering his perception range.
"Not a dangerous character... Their techniques seemed quite amateurish. According to the guards' description, they were captured by a passing sunglasses-wearing man before they could even take action."
Cagalli spread her hands, her expression showing little tension, indicating the situation didn't seem serious.
Mentioning the sunglasses-wearing man, Cagalli sighed helplessly and commented.
"...That's definitely the Desert Tiger. After all, the only one who fits both the sunglasses and middle-aged man attributes seems to be him."
Lu Tianming nodded in agreement, feeling that wandering around with sunglasses looking for opportunities to show off... was exactly the kind of thing Andrew would do.
Most importantly, he was the only one currently without much work, free to roam around.
"Regarding the assassins, we've conducted an investigation."
Uzumi cleared his throat, interrupting their casual conversation.
"Although the individual remains silent, through some tracing methods, we can almost confirm they're death warriors from the Sahaku family."
"The Sahaku family... Rondo Mina Sahaku? No, he shouldn't know about his brother's situation yet."
Lu Tianming lightly pinched his chin in thought, proposing the idea but immediately dismissing it himself.
Currently, Mina neither had the motive nor the capability. If anyone truly had the ability to orchestrate all this...
After careful consideration, he spoke again:
"It's... those old relics of the Sahaku family behind this, isn't it?"
Uzumi nodded in confirmation:
"If our Athha family represents ORB's public face, then the Sahaku family has long been the 'Shadow of ORB' lurking in the darkness. Their family's political ambition in recent times... indeed throughout history, has been to step onto the open political stage. Not necessarily to replace the Athhas, but at least to stand as equals."
"Currently... I suspect they view your emergence as an obstacle to their political goals, hence their attempt to assassinate you."
Hearing Uzumi's speculation, Lu Tianming lightly stroked his chin, a trace of resignation flashing in his eyes. He could somewhat understand the Sahaku elders' reasoning.
Originally, they thought that by working hard to overthrow or equal the Athha family, they would have their chance to see daylight... With skillful maneuvering, they might even use ORB's crises to accuse the Athhas of incompetence and directly overthrow their rule.
But who could have predicted that he would descend like a divine soldier, effortlessly clearing most crises during Uzumi's tenure as if cheating. He even single-handedly facilitated the establishment of the MS forces and led them to repel the combined assault of ZAFT and the Alliance, earning the title of War God.
Without doubt, with such achievements, whether he took power himself or credited the victories to the Athha family to consolidate their position, it would be more than sufficient.
In short... as long as Lu Tianming remained, the Sahaku family would never see the light of day.
"I was just thinking about how to deal with these old fools... and they're handing us an opportunity on a silver platter."
Tianming shrugged, momentarily speechless at these people's actions.
Perhaps these so-called 'death warriors' were truly capable, but unfortunately for them, they happened to encounter the Desert Tiger... making them look like complete jokers in comparison.
"After the failed assassination attempt, the Sahaku faction will likely lay low for a while... I plan to use this opportunity to nominate you as wartime president."
Uzumi's expression suddenly turned serious as he spoke to Lu Tianming with grave sincerity.
"...Is that necessary? And how old is he anyway? Will the veteran parliament members truly accept this?"
Cagalli was surprised by her father's sudden decision. Lu Tianming was only in his twenties... Was someone so young really suitable to be president?
"Hold on... I suspect making me president is more about 'boosting appearances' and sending a political signal. Am I right?"
Tianming waved his hand to calm the surprised Cagalli, looking tentatively at Uzumi.
Uzumi nodded appreciatively and said:
"Correct. ORB has now been completely drawn into the war. We can no longer adhere to our previous development strategy, so transitioning from neutrality to declaring war is inevitable."
"But if Mr. Uzumi, who has always advocated neutrality, suddenly pushes for war, it would give the public an impression of inconsistency... Hence the need for me to take the stage."
Tianming naturally smiled as he continued Uzumi's explanation.
Cagalli nodded with partial understanding, trying to comprehend:
"I see. And Lu Tianming's identity as a war hero seems more suited to a pro-war stance?"
Uzumi looked pleasantly surprised that Cagalli could follow their reasoning, nodding with satisfaction... as if his simple daughter had finally gained some wisdom.
"Moreover, due to your close connection with Lu Tianming, other members of the council now largely regard you as part of my faction. By having me endorse his rise to power, the rest of the council won't reject him for being parachuted in without qualifications—because in their eyes, Lu Tianming is merely a puppet I've put forward for political propaganda, while I remain the actual authority."
Uzumi nodded. Under normal circumstances, if someone like Lu Tianming—devoid of political foundations—were directly promoted, his dazzling military achievements might secure him votes, but about eighty percent of his orders would likely go unenforced.
However, with Uzumi's endorsement, others would simply view Lu Tianming as a symbolic figure pushed onto the stage, believing Uzumi remained the true decision-maker, merely shifting from the forefront to behind the scenes, with an added spokesperson who could handle combat.
This way, Lu Tianming could leverage Uzumi's political influence to freely 'unleash his full potential.'
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